accordance with the version included in this ICOMOS report. Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore) Technical Evaluation Mission An ICOMOS technical evaluation mission visited the No 1483 property from 22 to 24 September 2014.

Additional information received by ICOMOS

A letter was sent to the State Party on 19 September Official name as proposed by the State Party 2014 requesting additional information on boundaries, integrity, development, protection and management. A Singapore Botanic Gardens response to the letter was received on 28 October 2014. A

Location second letter, regarding the use of the former economic garden and the comparative analysis was sent to the Singapore (Central Tanglin District) State Party following the ICOMOS Panel meeting in

Brief description December 2014. A telephone meeting between the State party and ICOMOS was held on 30 January 2015 at the The Singapore Botanic Gardens is situated at the heart of request of the State Party to clarify some points in the city of Singapore and demonstrates the evolution of a ICOMOS’ second letter. A response to this letter was British tropical colonial botanic garden into a modern and received on 23 February 2015. The information has been world-class botanic garden, scientific institution and place incorporated below. of conservation and education. Through its well-preserved landscape design and continuity of purpose, the Date of ICOMOS approval of this report Singapore Botanic Gardens is an outstanding example of 12 March 2015 a British tropical botanic garden which has also played a key role in advances in scientific knowledge.

Category of property 2 The property In terms of categories of cultural property set out in Article I of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, this is a Description site. The nominated property forms part – 49 ha – of the larger area covered by the Singapore Botanic Gardens, an area In terms of the Operational Guidelines for the of 74 ha that can be accessed via 16 main Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (July entrances/gates. Originally laid out in the 1860s, the 2013), paragraph 47, it is a cultural landscape. Singapore Botanic Gardens is located within the centre of the city of Singapore, and demonstrates the evolution of the 1800s British tropical colonial botanic gardens into a 1 Basic data modern and world-class botanic garden, scientific institution and place of conservation and education. The Included in the Tentative List gardens also forms a component of a wider green infrastructure network across Singapore, which includes 7 December 2012 over 300 parks, four nature reserves, more than 2,000 ha International Assistance from the World Heritage of tree-lined streets and over 200km of park connectors. Fund for preparing the Nomination The Botanic Gardens is situated on one of a series of None north-south ridges that underlie the Tanglin District of the Date received by the World Heritage Centre city. The highest areas of the property rise relatively steeply to over 30 metres above sea level and include 29 January 2014 Bandstand Hill (the historic core of the Botanic Gardens), Background a tract of primary rainforest, Burkill Hall and the National Orchid Garden, and the area now primarily occupied by This is a new nomination. NUS’s Faculty of Law and associated houses. The latter Consultations were originally erected as part of the former Raffles College and today form part of the nominated property. ICOMOS consulted its International Scientific Committee The topography of the site, together with the tree cover on Cultural Landscapes and several independent experts. and vegetation, enhance the constant sense of enclosure

experienced by visitors. Comments about the evaluation of this property were received from IUCN in December 2014. ICOMOS Trees and plant specimens are an important component carefully examined this information to arrive at its final of the nominated property, contributing strongly to its decision and its March 2015 recommendation; IUCN character and overall structure. The site contains a wide also revised the presentation of its comments in variety of trees of varying ages, planted for scientific/botanical research, conservation and/or

122 horticultural/aesthetic purposes. A number of trees are 1950s) are located at the foot of an east facing slope over 100 years old and some pre-date the site’s creation. enclosed in dense vegetation, close to Cluny Road 44 trees have been designated as Heritage Trees. (Character Area 4).

The nominated property is divided into four zones which The Plant House Garden is more symmetrical and formal are described below. in appearance/design than most of the rest of the Botanic Gardens (with the exception of the Sundial Garden). It Tanglin Core (Historic Zone) originally contained a large rectangular ‘plant/exhibition house’ (completed in 1882 and roofed in 1885) erected to This zone is the approximate site of the original ‘Pleasure accommodate public flower shows and displays of potted Gardens’ and includes the Tanglin Gate, the main plants and annuals (some of which were for sale). It now historical entrance to the Gardens, originally a road comprises a grass quadrangle surrounded by pergolas, entrance but now restricted to pedestrians. Niven’s paths, with a central water lily pond (completed 1958). ring roads, sweeping lawns and Swan Lake (1860s) still reflect his response to the topography and the influence of North of Bandstand Hill, a raised boardwalk leads visitors the English Landscape Style. Other elements located in through a tract of dense and tall primary rainforest. A total this zone include: Display Gardens (i.e. the 1980s Vanda of 300 species have been recorded in the rainforest by the ‘Miss Joaquim’ display, 2004 Sun Garden, 2005 Bonsai Botanic Gardens’ scientists, but many of these are Garden and 1929 Sundial Garden) and a frangipani represented by few or solitary individuals. This element of collection on the gently sloping sides of the Bandstand Hill the Botanic Gardens was carefully preserved and (Character Area 5) with its decorative white painted integrated into the landscape from the outset. Bandstand (1930) at the top. Bandstand Hill, which formed part of the 1860s design of the pleasure gardens, In the additional information the State Party provided at commands the highest point in the original area of the the request of ICOMOS, the State Party highlighted that nominated property. The layout of the Sundial Garden, the exact spot where rubber was first established in 1877, Sun Garden and Bonsai collections all contrast with the before being planted in the Economic Garden in or after more informal landscape surrounding them. 1879, is included in the heritage core of the Botanic

Garden. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of its Swan Lake (Character Area 1) is located at the foot of introduction, a monument was erected at the exact area in sloping lawns with a wide variety of specimen and veteran the north end of the Palm Valley. trees. Although tropical in appearance, the lake was designed to emulate British pleasure gardens/public Central Core (Tourism/administration Zone) parks, with a wide promenade following a large water body and scattered trees set within mown grass. The Once part of the Economic Gardens, this zone now Marsh Garden, laid out in 1969, is located to the south includes primary tourist attractions – the Visitor Welcome and incorporates the remnants of a rhinoceros wallow and Centre Plaza/Palm Court and amenity facilities, parking alligator ponds from the late 19th century when the Botanic and drop-off zone at the Nassim Gate on Cluny Road; Gardens contained such zoological collections. The water NParks headquarters buildings; the National Orchid supply for Swan Lake originates from the Tyersall Gardens and the historic Palm Valley. Most of this area Learning Forest, entering the site in the area known as was redeveloped during the 1990s following the 1980s The Dell, located near the Swan Lake’s northern edge. Master Plan. Key veteran trees and heritage buildings and features were retained. The Ginger Garden (Character Area 6) showcases over 550 different types of gingers and species in the related E.J.H. Corner House, a traditional black and white style families of the heliconias, bird-of-paradise, bananas and bungalow completed in 1910 is set among lush tropical arrowroot. The Halia restaurant complex, opened in April planting and includes a small domestic scale garden. A 2001, occupies the northern end of this Ginger Garden. diverse collection of palms contiguous with those of the nearby Palm Valley is located on the south side of the The Botany Centre and Green Pavilion (Character Area house. 3), which were built in 2006, feature Singapore’s first pitched green roof and accommodate research facilities Palm Valley (Character Area 8), planted from 1879 on the and the visitor information centre. An imposing veteran site of the former Economic Garden developed under tree, Calophyllum inophyllum, which influenced the layout Murton’s superintendence, stretches northwards from of the Botany Centre, stands at its centre. Ridley Hall Orchid Plaza, sloping down to Symphony Lake. This large (1882) is located immediately to the north of the Botany expanse of grass, with multiple scattered mature palms of Centre. The administrative/research centre of the Botanic varying sizes (c.220 species represented) and other tree Gardens has been located in this part of the Botanic species, is located in a shallow valley between the Gardens since the late 19th century. Rainforest and the National Orchid Garden whose eastern side once included part of the original extent of Palm The Potting Yard area (dating from the 1880s), Fernery Valley. Symphony Lake dominates the northern end of Garden (1980), Aroid Garden (1999) and Plant House Character Area 8, with the Shaw Symphony Stage, built in Garden (first established in 1882 and redesigned in the 2005 to replace an earlier stage erected in 1995. The

123 Lake provides a focal point in views along the valley. An garden) are dotted around the lake providing variety and arrow installed in 1974-76 points towards Greenwich, ornamental interest. London and marks the location of a temporary station for the observation of terrestrial magnetism set up in the The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden (Character Area 16) Gardens in 1914. A series of beds located along Heliconia was designed and planted from 2004 to 2007 to provide a Walk (to the east, dated 1998) showcase the larger unique discovery and learning experience in a garden growing and more spectacular species of this genus. setting for children of up to 12 years of age. Set in woodlands it includes interactive play equipment, indoor The National Orchid Garden (Character Area 9) is the and outdoor living classrooms, hands-on gardens, largest permanent display of orchids in the world, and was sensory garden and maze. A reception centre and a car designed to showcase the products of the Botanic park are located to the east of the area. Gardens orchid breeding programme. It was completed in 1995 and is sited on the side of the hill where Burkill Hall The Evolution Garden (Character Area 13) was laid out in (1868), a black and white plantation style bungalow, is 2005 on a small open hill, once the site of the workers’ located. The misthouse (1995), bromeliad enclosure houses for the Economic Gardens. It is visually enclosed (1995) and cool house (2004) provide further specialist by dense tree planting. Specimens, outcrops of rocks, tropical display gardens within the National Orchid large boulders and fossils (some real and some artificial) Garden. The latter houses an artificially controlled border both sides of the main path spiralling to the base of montane tropical cloud forest display with trees and rocks the hill, giving it a distinctive character. Its south-western draped with orchids and carnivorous plants. The Orchid and eastern edges contain older plantings of timber trees. Plaza at the entrance to the National Orchid Garden provides a key meeting place, overlooking Palm Valley Completed as a new speciality garden in 2011, the and providing access into the National Orchid Garden to Healing Garden (Character Area 12) replaced college land the west and the Ginger Garden to the south. bearing derelict university outbuildings, a few large trees (retained) and some smaller trees, shrubs and lawn. The A small semi-wild remnant of freshwater swamp, the Healing Garden is located adjacent to the old university Orchid Nursery and mature trees are located to the north. houses and is laid out over sloping and terraced ground The latter are mostly assumed to have been transplanted facing south-east. A complex of winding paths leads the from the former Economic Gardens in the period from visitors through generally new plantings (which includes 1918 until the early 1920s. Transplanted trees included highly floriferous herbaceous species) interspersed with durian, tamarind, Diospyros blancoi, mahoganies (African tall tree specimens (including veteran trees such as and American), Erythrophleum guineense and Sterculia Palaquium obovatum, planted by Ridley in the then foetida. These are now the largest examples of these Economic Gardens) which give it a distinctive character. species in the Botanic Gardens and will be made 500 species of plants used for traditional medicine in accessible to the public after the National Orchid Garden Southeast Asia are laid out in the shape of the human undergoes refurbishment during 2014-2018. The Raffles body. This garden surrounds the former Economic Building (Character Area 11) completed in 1958 and Gardens historic Field Assistant’s House (House 6, adjacent carpark/food and beverage facility dominate the completed in 1919) and includes mature oil palms dating north-east corner of this zone. from c.1920, likely to have been planted as sources of seed for the nascent plantation industry at the time. Bukit Timah Core (Education/Learning Zone) Five houses and their setting (Character Area 14), This zone includes the redevelopment of the old originally constructed between 1924 and 1928 for the Economic Gardens and later the former Raffles College former Raffles College, are located along the edge of a Grounds. Most parts of the zone have recently been hilltop (set back against the Botanic Gardens’ boundary), established as with themed plant areas and speciality which slopes down steeply to the west. This part of the gardens. The Botanic Gardens’ plant resources centre zone, unlike the younger planting to the north, contains (1995, located outside the boundary of the nominated numerous mature trees (including old tembusu trees and property) for rare plant propagation and acclimatisation, palms dating back to the 1920s). The Garage (built staff training, conservation and education is also located around 1924 and 1928) is located at the foot of the hill on the northern boundary. below the five houses, with old nutmeg and durian trees in

between. The Fragrant Garden completed in 2013 The Eco Lake and its surroundings (Character Area 15) (replacing derelict university out-buildings) wraps around have a gently undulating topography, with small man- House 5 and contains new plants including diverse shrubs made mounds topped with wooden shelters overlooking and herbs with sweet-smelling flowers. Chinese tombs the lake. It is generally open with views across and to (1842-81) set within an open grass lawn with scattered high-rise buildings located beyond the property boundary. shrubs and trees are located to the north-east of the zone. The Eco Lake, a naturalistic lake with a shingle shore and swamp plants along its margins, dominates the area. A number of plant collections/display gardens (fruit trees, spices, bamboo/reflexology, trellis garden and foliage

124 Tyersall Learning Forest Core (Education/Learning supervision of the Botanic Gardens’ new Superintendent Zone) Nathaniel Cantley.

This whole zone comprises a century-old dense In 1879, an area of approximately 41 ha of Military secondary forest overgrown with laurel, Albizia and Reserve land located adjacent to the northern boundary towering tembusu trees, some of which were planted in was annexed to the Botanic Gardens and developed into 1862. Recently added as an extension to the Botanic an economic/experimental crops area (known as the Gardens, this zone will be developed into a ‘learning Economic Gardens). At this time, the area of the Botanic forest’. This will involve the conservation of existing Gardens was at its largest, encompassing 75 ha of land. biodiversity, curation of botanical collections, Cantley and subsequent Directors continued to develop establishment of better connectivity with the Rainforest, the Economic Gardens until the 1920s when much of repositioning of the existing Tyersall Avenue, restructuring this area was redeveloped into Singapore’s first higher of visitor access to the National Orchid Garden/Ginger education college. Garden, creation of fresh water swamp forest and extension of the National Orchid Garden nursery. It is Extant buildings/structures constructed between 1880 anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of and the early 1920s include: Ridley Hall (1882), E.J.H. 2015. Corner House (1910), House 6 (the Field Assistant’s

House, 1919) and Holttum Hall (1921). Cantley also History and development developed the Potting Yard nursery to supply trees for The extent and certain components of the internal layout city parks and forest reserves in c.1882-84. of the Singapore Botanic Gardens have changed over time. Several major phases of development are evident. In order to conserve some of the most valuable plants

from the Economic Gardens, a number were moved to In 1859 an Agri-Horticultural Society was granted the historic core of the Gardens between 1918 and the approximately 22 ha of land by the colonial mid-1920s. After the development of the college, the administration to establish gardens in the Tanglin area. area of the Botanic Gardens was reduced in size to c. 40 The land was developed into pleasure gardens for the ha. Society’s subscribers by Lawrence Niven, a Scottish- born and trained gardener and local nutmeg plantation Extant buildings/structures associated with the former manager. By 1870, Niven had transformed the land into Raffles College include: Houses 1-5 (1924-28) and an attractive landscape laid out in the English Raffles Hall (now known as Raffles Building, dated Landscape style, complete with curving paths, a lake, 1958). Approximately 13 ha of land that had once flower beds, a band parade area and a conserved tract formed part of the Economic Gardens was eventually of virgin rainforest. According to the State Party, the returned to the Botanic Gardens in 1986, and a further design of the Botanic Gardens had little scientific input 12 ha was added in 2004/2005. during this first phase of its history. In 1866 it was extended by a further 12 ha to the west and north-west. Relatively minor landscape developments took place A black and white bungalow (today known as Burkill between the mid-1920s and 1960s. These included: the Hall) and Swan Lake were established on this newly creation of an Orchid Enclosure (where the Ginger acquired land. Garden now stands) and the redevelopment of a former

Rose Garden in 1929 into the Sundial Garden. An active In 1874, due to the serious financial difficulties of the orchid hybridisation programme was started in the late Agri-Horticultural Society, the British colonial 1920s and the bandstand was erected in 1930. government assumed ownership and management of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. From this time, the Between the early 1960s and late 1980s the Botanic Gardens was transformed into a typical colonial Gardens revised its mission and focus from a research- botanical gardens, superintended by a qualified oriented organisation to one that would feature gardener-botanist, James Murton, who was appointed prominently in Singapore’s ‘Garden City’ vision. In part, upon the recommendation of the Royal Botanic Gardens the Gardens resumed its earlier roles, propagating trees Kew. for planting in Singapore’s streets and parks. Taxonomic

research was not a priority during this period. Parts of During this phase, a library and herbarium were the Botanic Gardens were turned into nurseries and a established, a wide array of new plant specimens School of Ornamental Horticulture was opened in Burkill introduced (including many trees to the south and the Hall. first Economic Garden to the north-west) and the Botanic

Gardens’ role in economic botany developed. The A number of new features, such as a Japanese Garden Botanic Gardens contained a significant zoological and miniature waterfall, were added to the Botanic collection between 1875 and 1878, which was thereafter Gardens during the 1970s but, with the exception of much reduced and eventually removed from the Botanic Symphony Lake, these were later removed (when the Gardens in 1985. Palm Valley was established in 1879 Botanic Gardens underwent a major programme of and The Dell in 1882 with the latter under the works in line with the National Parks Board’s Masterplan, unveiled in 1989).

125 A 30-year Masterplan for the Botanic Gardens was relatively well-resourced compared to the other identified unveiled in 1989, one year after the appointment of Dr colonial tropical gardens in the region. Kiat W. Tan as its new Director. It enabled his new vision for the site to be articulated through a range of proposals ICOMOS considers that this comparison is appropriate grouped according to three core areas (the Bukit Timah, as only a few British tropical colonial gardens are Central and Tanglin Cores) and delivered in three comparable to the purpose and contribution of the phases. Excellence in botanical research and Singapore Botanic Gardens, especially in relation to the conservation, education programmes and the protection pioneering work on rubber plantations. of the heritage features of the Gardens underpinned the Masterplan. The Botanic Gardens regained its status as The State Party also compared the Singapore Botanic an institution for botanical and horticultural research, and Gardens with gardens in other regions already inscribed is a tourist destination. on the World Heritage List, namely, Orto Botanico, Padua (Italy); Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (United New elements introduced through the implementation of Kingdom); and Jardim Botȃnico, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). the Masterplan include the creation of the National With the exception of the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Orchid Garden (1995), Visitor Centre/Park Headquarters which shared a mutually dependent role with the (1998), Ginger Garden (2001), Evolution Garden (2005) Singapore Botanic Gardens, the other two gardens were and Healing Garden (2011). The scientific collections in the view of the State Party substantially different from and facilities were also enhanced through the the Singapore Botanic Gardens in terms of their values. construction of the Botany Centre (2006), which houses the herbarium, library and various laboratories. More ICOMOS considers that the comparative analysis is recently, works have included the creation of the adequate. Fragrant Garden (2013) and Heritage Museum (2013).

The development of the Tyersall Learning Forest on Justification of Outstanding Universal Value approximately nine hectares of land added to the The nominated property is considered by the State Party Botanic Gardens’ south-western boundary in 2006, is to be of Outstanding Universal Value as a cultural expected to be completed by 2015. property for the following reasons:

• The nominated property’s landscape today bears 3 Justification for inscription, integrity and testimony to the history of plant transfer and authenticity research and the contributions to the economic and social development of the region; Comparative analysis • The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a well-defined In the context of tropical colonial botanic gardens, the cultural landscape which includes a rich variety of State Party considers that South and Southeast Asia is historic landscape features that clearly demonstrate notable. According to the State Party, the pioneer work the evolution of the Botanic Gardens since its done in this region steered the course of history in new establishment in 1859; directions, revolutionised trade and established • Since 1875, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has economies, influencing the international power balance. continued to be a leading centre in plant science, Against this notion, the comparative analysis provided by research and conservation in Southeast Asia; the State Party compared the Singapore Botanic • The Botanic Gardens has played an integral role in Gardens with historic tropical colonial botanic gardens the social history of Singapore, providing a backdrop within South and Southeast Asia, namely, Bogor Botanic for the lives of its residents, both past and present, Gardens and its extension Kebun Raya Cibodas and a continued sense of place and identity; Botanical Gardens in Indonesia (Dutch); Royal Botanic • The Singapore Botanic Gardens was and continues Gardens Peradeniya and its lowland and highland sister to be instrumental in the greening and transformation gardens, Henarathgoda and Hakgala, Sri Lanka (Dutch); of Singapore into a ‘Garden City/City in a Garden’; Calcutta Botanic Garden, India (British); Hong Kong • The assemblage of historic landscape features and Zoological and Botanical Gardens (British); Yangon buildings and conserved lowland primary rainforest, Botanic Garden, Myanmar (British); Sir Seewoosagur in combination richly illustrate the development and Ramgoolam Botanical Garden Mauritius, and Penang mixed role of the Botanic Gardens during the period Botanic Gardens, Penang Island, Malaysia (British). of British colonisation.

In this comparative context, the State Party argues that ICOMOS considers that this justification is appropriate the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) is outstanding for given the ability of the Singapore Botanic Gardens to its preserved landscape design and continuity of demonstrate its different phases of design and uses for purpose since its establishment in 1859. The State Party scientific and social purposes, and through the diverse also considers that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is an range of plantings, gardens, buildings and other intact example of the British colonial botanic gardens as features. the others included in the comparison have lost some of their original features/functions. Finally, the State Party also considers that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is

126 Integrity and authenticity nominated property – including the landscape, buildings and structures – have high levels of surviving authentic Integrity fabric; and that the spatial planning and layout of the Singapore Botanic Gardens are authentic. Many elements The State Party states that the nominated property of the nominated property are still used in the manner in includes within its boundary all elements necessary to which they were originally intended, or have been adapted express its Outstanding Universal Value as an exceptional to new uses that are compatible with their values. example of a British tropical colonial botanic garden in

Southeast Asia; and to illustrate interchanges of values In the additional information provided, the State Party connected to ideas, knowledge and expertise in tropical referred to the presence of many historic specimens of and economic botany and horticulture. According to the economic crop species in the former Economic Garden. State Party, the completeness of the nominated property ICOMOS considers that there are many individual is demonstrated by the range of landscape features, elements that relate to the historical periods of the botanic buildings and structures most closely associated with the gardens (as noted above). Singapore Botanic Gardens as a British colonial botanic garden. ICOMOS notes that the authenticity of the nominated

property is maintained on the basis that the site is still In the additional information provided, the State Party used as a Botanic Garden and also a place of scientific explains that artefacts from Ridley’s experimentation with research. rubber are on display in the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Heritage Museum in Holttum Hall. Besides rubber, the State Party asserts that many historic specimens of In conclusion, ICOMOS considers that the conditions of economic crop species are located on the land of the integrity and authenticity have been met. former Economic Garden within the nominated property. For example, this area still retains 7 very old specimens of Criteria under which inscription is proposed African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) planted to produce The property is nominated on the basis of cultural criteria seeds to establish some of the early plantations in the (ii) and (iv). region, which created a demand for seeds. Also located within the nominated property are two officially recognised Criterion (ii): exhibit an important interchange of human Heritage Trees of white gutta percha (Palaquium values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of obovatum) which were planted by Ridley in 1897 to the world, on developments in architecture or ensure the species did not become extinct. These now technology, monumental arts, town-planning or represent one of the earliest examples of ex situ landscape design; conservation. This criterion is justified by the State Party on the

grounds that the Singapore Botanic Gardens has been a ICOMOS considers that the nominated property contains prominent centre for plant research in Southeast Asia all the attributes needed to demonstrate the proposed since the 19th century and continues to play a leading Outstanding Universal Value; and that the nominated role in the interchange of ideas, knowledge and property fully contains the original layout of the Botanical expertise in tropical botany, agricultural economy and Gardens. horticulture.

IUCN states that: “The collection of plants, including the This criterion was further justified by the fact that relict small forest ecosystem is at the core of its seedling stock from the Singapore Botanic Gardens was significance. These plant collections, including herbaria used to supply the rest of Southeast Asia as well as (with over 8,000 type specimens) are considered definitive smaller plantations in British colonies in Africa and the for the tropics.” Caribbean. When the plantation rubber boom began

early in the 20th century it was the seeds and saplings ICOMOS concurs with IUCN’s views that the integrity of supplied by the Singapore Botanic Gardens that enabled the property could be further strengthened by developing most of the expansion of plantations to occur, such that policies directed to ensuring the future integrity of the by 1920 Malaya was producing half of the world’s latex property, such as a Comprehensive Living Plant harvest. Furthermore, China’s current rapidly growing Collection Policy. rubber industry in Yunnan Province has its origin in trees

supplied from Singapore in 1904. ICOMOS further considers the move by the State Party to include the Bukit Timah Campus in the Buffer Zone in ICOMOS considers that the influences of the Singapore terms of the Master Plan 2014 as a positive step that will Botanic Gardens has been significant in the history of contribute to the maintenance of the integrity of the tropical botany and horticulture, and notes that while the nominated property (see below). Kew Botanic Gardens supplied the first few seedlings,

the Singapore Botanic Gardens provided the conditions Authenticity for their planting, mass-multiplication, experimentation, The State Party states that the key attributes that agro-industrial development and eventual distribution to contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the much of Southeast Asia and elsewhere.

127 ICOMOS considers that this criterion has been 5 Protection, conservation and demonstrated. management

Criterion (iv): be an outstanding example of a type of Boundaries of the nominated property building, architectural or technological ensemble or and buffer zone landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in The boundaries of the nominated property are clearly human history; demarcated and all areas, buildings and features of conservation values within these borders are protected by This criterion is justified by the State Party on the a range of statutory and non-statutory designations. The grounds that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is an nominated property is bounded by Holland Road to the outstanding example of a British tropical colonial botanic south, Tyersall Avenue/Cluny Park Road to the west, the garden and the best preserved of its kind. Compared to northern end of the Botanic Gardens to the north and the the other British colonial botanic gardens of comparable National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Law size and function in the tropics, Singapore Botanic Faculty/Evans Road and Cluny Road to the east. Gardens is outstanding for its preserved landscape design and continuity of purpose. A proposed buffer zone around the nominated property

defines an area where additional planning guidance will be ICOMOS considers that the Singapore Botanic Gardens given to protect the immediate setting of the nominated is an outstanding example of a ‘British tropical colonial property. botanic garden’.

ICOMOS notes the move by the State Party to include the ICOMOS considers that this criterion has been justified. Bukit Timah Campus in the buffer zone as a positive move. The boundaries of the buffer zone are also clearly ICOMOS considers that the nominated property meets marked and much of the land within is designated as criteria (ii) and (iv), and that the conditions of authenticity ‘Landed Housing Areas’ (including Good Class Bungalow and integrity have been met. Areas) with guidelines on the height and building form of residential developments within such areas.

Description of the attributes ICOMOS considers that the attributes of Outstanding In conclusion, ICOMOS considers that the boundaries of Universal Value are the numerous trees, plantings and the nominated property and of its buffer zone are built elements that demonstrate the original extent and adequate layout of the original Botanic Gardens, developed during the 1860s as pleasure gardens; the historical features Ownership and gardens in the area of land annexed to the Botanic All land within the nominated property is owned by the Gardens in 1866, including the Swan Lake, Burkill Hall Singapore Government. The majority of the State land and Palm Valley; the trees and other remnant elements within the property is leased to NParks (under a 99 year of the former Economic Gardens (1879), such as the lease, in force between 1990 and 2089), a statutory body Field Assistant’s house (House 6); the Chinese tombs; of the Ministry of National Development. buildings which testify to the site’s important role in the interchange of ideas, including Holttum Hall and Ridley With regard to the buffer zone, the State land Hall; the living, preserved, genetic, bibliographic and immediately to the north and south-west of the visual reference collections; the identified heritage trees nominated property is under the direct management of and very old specimens such as the 7 very old NParks as part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The specimens of the species of African oil palm (Elaeis remainder of land within the buffer zone is under a mix of guineensis); and the invaluable living and preserved private and State ownership. plant collections, which underpin the site’s scientific, conservation, educational and recreational functions. Protection Areas, buildings and features of conservation value within the nominated property are protected by a range of 4 Factors affecting the property statutory and non-statutory designations. The principal legislation that regulates conservation and development in The nomination dossier mentions several factors that Singapore is the Planning Act. Under this legislation, any affect the Singapore Botanic Gardens and its setting. proposal to develop land or to carry out works in a These include developments, infrastructure projects, conservation area (e.g. to erect a new building, etc.) is environmental factors (such as termites and other pests), required to obtain planning and/or conservation potential natural disasters and visitation. permission under the Act before development or work is carried out. ICOMOS considers that the main threats to the property are developments or changes in land use, environmental The entire area of the nominated property is within the pressures and tourism. Singapore Botanic Gardens which is Conservation Area (2008). It is also a Tree Conservation Area (1991) and the

128 majority of the Gardens is a National Park (1990). The 2013, updated on an ongoing basis); digital inventory of Rainforest Area of the Nominated Property is a Nature the Herbarium’s Type Specimens (2013, updated on an Area (2003). There are 44 heritage trees within the ongoing basis); digital inventory of Conserved Buildings nominated property. Conserved buildings within the and Structures, held by the Urban Redevelopment Nominated Property are houses 1 to 5 of the former Authority (2013, updated as and when necessary); Raffles College (2008), Raffles Hall (2006), E.J.H. Corner digital inventory of Heritage Trees, held by the National House (2008), Burkill Hall (2008), Holttum Hall (2008), Parks Board (2013, updated on an ongoing basis); Ridley Hall (2008), House 6 (2013) and the Garage digital inventory of all buildings within the Singapore (2013). Conserved structures within the nominated Botanic Gardens, held by the National Parks Board’s property are the Bandstand (2009) and Swan Lake Resource Management Division (2013, updated on Gazebo (2009). ongoing basis); and Biodiversity survey of the Rainforest (2009-2012). Land within the proposed buffer zone is zoned in the Master Plan for mixed uses such as residential, education The historic buildings in the Singapore Botanic Gardens and open spaces. ICOMOS notes that much of the buffer are inspected on a quinquennial basis and subject to zone is designated as ‘Landed Housing Areas’ (including ongoing maintenance. ICOMOS considers inspections ‘Good Class Bungalow Areas’) with guidelines on the that are undertaken once every five years to be height and building form of residential developments inadequate as a conservation measure. within such areas. Under these guidelines, the intention is that developments within the proposed buffer zone should In conclusion, ICOMOS considers that the conservation generally maintain low-rise and low density character. measures are generally adequate, but that they could be Developments in close proximity to the Botanic Gardens strengthened through improvements to the frequency of are also subject to more stringent height controls under inspections of the historical buildings. the Building Height Plan that protect the visual amenity of the Botanic Gardens. However, ICOMOS notes that the Management entire buffer zone is not designated as ‘Landed Housing Area’, meaning that there are parts of the buffer zone that Management structures and processes, do not benefit from restrictions of height related to this including traditional management processes designation. Therefore, the parts of the buffer zone that are excluded may be exposed to developments that could The overall responsibility for the management of the adversely affect the nominated property. Botanic Gardens lies with its Director who is assisted by two senior Deputy Directors and four Deputy Directors. In conclusion, ICOMOS notes that although Singapore The Singapore Botanic Gardens currently employs 125 has well-developed planning and development full-time members of staff. Volunteer workers lead walks compliance systems, there is concern that the laws of around the Gardens, including a specialist heritage walk. the State Party do not have mandatory environmental Garden staff are employed in the following five impact assessment (EIA) for planning. If this is departments: Research and Conservation; Horticulture, addressed, protection of parts of the buffer zone that are Exhibitions and Events; Education, Development and not designated Landed Housing Area could be Administration Support; Visitor Management, Security and strengthened. Generally, ICOMOS considers that the Operations; and Singapore Garden Festival. legal protection in place is adequate, with the exception of the areas within the buffer zone that are not Policy framework: management plans and designated as ‘Landed Housing Area’. arrangements, including visitor management and presentation

Conservation Land use planning in Singapore is carried out by URA, the The living collection is part of an ongoing and evolving national land use planning and conservation authority, in curation programme, which seeks to ensure that conjunction with other government agencies. The strategic research and conservation needs are met, keynote land use plan that guides Singapore’s development over a specimens (e.g. heritage or horticultural value) are 40 to 50 year period is the Singapore Concept Plan. This conserved, the historic character and structure of the plan is supported by the Master Plan (2008) which is the landscape is maintained and a quality visitor experience statutory land use plan prepared under the Planning Act. is provided. In accordance with the Gardens’ Acquisition The Master Plan translates the broad long-term strategies and Retention Policy, there is an intention to replace ‘low of the Concept Plan into detailed plans to guide value’ plants with new ‘higher value’ ones and, wherever development, and sets out land use zoning and plot appropriate, to replace plants with new more accurately ratio/intensity policies for land in Singapore. Development documented plant material (particularly in relation to control plans such as Landed Housing Area Plans and provenance). Building Height Plans referred to above are published to provide further elaboration and guidance of the planning The most recent records or inventories of the nominated intention of the Master Plan. The review of the Master property are the digital inventory of Living Collections Plan is carried out at least every five years. (2013, updated on an ongoing basis); digital inventory of the Library Collection (published and archival material,

129 The nominated property is zoned ‘Park’ in the Master Management Plan for the nominated property. These Plan, which requires that the land be set aside for use as include: park or garden, for the enjoyment of the general public. The Conservation Guidelines provide the conservation • Percentage of buildings/structures requiring major principles, planning parameters and restoration guidelines repair for conserved shop house and bungalow typologies, as • Observed change in the condition of the living well as planning parameters and envelope control collections guidelines for new buildings within Conservation Areas. To • Number of major changes to the historic layout safeguard the visual amenity of the nominated property, • Population size of key species in the Rainforest the Building Height Plan also provides for more stringent • Observed change in the condition of the preserved height controls on developments in close vicinity of the collections Singapore Botanic Gardens. • Observed change in the condition of the documentary/visual reference collections A Management Plan has been prepared for Singapore • Continuity of the site’s scientific and recreational Botanic Gardens with the primary aim of ensuring effective functions protection, conservation, presentation and transmission of • Percentage of visitors expressing satisfaction the attributes of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. • Number of participants in educational activities The Plan provides the over-arching framework for management of the nominated property. While ICOMOS considers that these indicators are

adequate to monitor the state of conservation of the ICOMOS also notes the Master Plan 2014, gazetted on 6 property, the State Party should also include further June 2014, is Singapore’s latest Master Plan and indicators related to the impact of tourism and potential supersedes the above-mentioned 2008 document that impact from development. The State Party should also was submitted with the Nomination Dossier. provide further information on the procedures for the

monitoring of the property. IUCN recommends that: “an effective management plan for the remnant primary forest within the boundaries of the nominated property be maintained and kept updated, as it In conclusion, ICOMOS considers that the monitoring is unlikely that this relatively small patch of forest will be and indicators are adequate, but that these should be sustained over time if left unmanaged, and that its augmented by additional indicators related to the character may adapt over time due to the process of impacts of tourism and development on the Outstanding management intervention required to sustain it.” Universal Value of the nominated property.

The Botanic Gardens are free to access, with the 7 Conclusions exception of the National Orchid Garden, and are believed to be the only botanic gardens in the world that is open ICOMOS considers that the significance of the Singapore until midnight every day. To facilitate presentation of the Botanical Gardens as an exceptional example of a British significant value of the nominated property, amongst tropical colonial botanic garden in Southeast Asia; and others, educational signs are erected in the vicinity of an illustration of interchanges of values connected to each Heritage Tree. The Botanic Gardens contains a ideas, knowledge and expertise in tropical and economic range of visitor facilities/infrastructure. botany and horticulture.

A user survey was recently commissioned, which will 8 Recommendations outline the site’s visitor profile as well as visitor satisfaction, needs and aspirations. Recommendations with respect to inscription ICOMOS recommends that the Singapore Botanical Involvement of the local communities Gardens, Singapore, be inscribed on the World Heritage criteria (ii) and (iv) There are currently no inhabitants within the nominated List on the basis of . property and about 3,788 living in the buffer zone. A wide Recommended Statement of range of stakeholders were consulted and contributed to Outstanding Universal Value the development of the Nomination Dossier including the

Management Plan. These stakeholders included the Tanglin Neighbourhood Committee. Brief Synthesis The Singapore Botanic Gardens is situated at the heart of In conclusion, ICOMOS considers that the management the city of Singapore and demonstrates the evolution of a system for the property is adequate. British tropical colonial botanic garden from a ‘Pleasure Garden’ in the English Landscape Style, to a colonial 6 Monitoring Economic Garden with facilities for horticultural and botanical research, to a modern and world-class botanic Indicators for quantitatively and qualitatively measuring garden, scientific institution and place of conservation, the state of conservation are established in the recreation and education. The Singapore Botanic

130 Gardens is a well-defined cultural landscape which buildings/structures such as houses 1 to 5 of the former includes a rich variety of historic landscape features, Raffles College, Raffles Hall, E.J.H. Corner House, Burkill plantings and buildings that clearly demonstrate the Hall, Holttum Hall, Ridley Hall, House 6, Garage, evolution of the Botanic Gardens since its establishment Bandstand and Swan Lake Gazebo. in 1859. Through its well-preserved landscape design and continuity of purpose, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is The Botanic Gardens is protected primarily through the an outstanding example of a British tropical botanic Planning Act of Singapore, which regulates conservation garden which has also played a key role in advances in and development and requires permits to be obtained for scientific knowledge, particularly in the fields of tropical new development or works. The Singapore Concept Plan botany and horticulture, including the development of guides strategic planning over a 40-50 year period and plantation rubber. land use planning in Singapore is carried out by URA, the national land use planning and conservation authority. Criterion (ii): The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been Land use, zoning and development policies for Singapore a centre for plant research in Southeast Asia since the are established by a statutory Master Plan (2014) 19th century, contributing significantly to the expansion of prepared under the Planning Act. The Master Plan is plantation rubber in the 20th century, and continues to regularly reviewed and there are provisions for specific play a leading role in the exchange of ideas, knowledge development control plans that provide guidance on the and expertise in tropical botany and horticultural height and location of new developments as well as sciences. While the Kew Botanic Gardens (United conservation principles for conserved buildings and their Kingdom) provided the initial seedlings, the Singapore setting. Botanic Gardens provided the conditions for their planting, development and distribution throughout much Land within the buffer zone is designated as ‘Landed of Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Housing Areas’ (including ‘Good Class Bungalow Areas’) with guidelines on the height and building form of Criterion (iv): The Singapore Botanic Gardens is an residential developments. Under these guidelines, outstanding example of a British tropical colonial botanic developments within the proposed buffer zone should garden, and is notable for its preserved landscape generally maintain low-rise and low density, although this design and continuity of purpose since its inception. could be strengthened by ensuring that the ‘Landed Housing Zone’ is applied to the entire buffer zone. Integrity A Management Plan has been prepared for Singapore The Singapore Botanic Gardens contains all the Botanic Gardens with the primary aim of ensuring effective attributes necessary to express its Outstanding protection, conservation, presentation and transmission of Universal Value and fully contains the original lay-out of the attributes of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. the Botanic Gardens. A number of specific attributes The Plan provides the over-arching framework for including historic trees and plantings, garden design, management of the nominated property. and historic buildings/structures combine to illustrate the significant purposes of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Additional recommendations over its history. The integrity of the property could be ICOMOS further recommends that the State Party give further strengthened by developing additional policies consideration to the following: directed at the replacement and retention of significant plants. • Strengthening the protection of the buffer zone by

applying the ‘Landed Housing Zone’ to its entirety, or Authenticity by providing some other appropriate measure that The authenticity of the Singapore Botanic Gardens is can restrict the height of new constructions; demonstrated by the continued use as a botanic garden and as a place of scientific research. The authenticity of • Strengthening the conservation measures through material remains in the property is illustrated by the well- improvements to the frequency of inspections of the researched historic trees and other plantings (including historical buildings; historic plant specimens), historic elements of the designed spatial lay-out, and the historic • Developing monitoring indicators for development buildings/structures which are being used for their and tourism in light of the growing impacts from original purposes or adapted to new uses that are these potential threats; compatible with their values. • Ensuring that all new proposals for development are Management and Protection Requirements submitted to the World Heritage Centre for examination in accordance with paragraph 172 of the Most of the Singapore Botanic Gardens is in a National Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the Park, and the other designations include: Conservation World Heritage Convention; Area, Tree Conservation Area and Nature Area (applied to the rainforest area). There are 44 heritage trees within the • nominated property, and a number of protected Formulating a Living Plant Collections Policy and Plant Acquisition and Replacement Policy.

131

Map showing the boundaries of the nominated property

Swan Lake

The Bandstand

The National Orchid Garden

Tyersall Learning Forest